(CNN) – House Republicans are making it clear there won't be a speedy vote on President Barack Obama's $3.7 billion emergency proposal to address the immigration crisis on the southern border.

They believe less money is needed and more should be done to strengthen enforcement along the border, which has experienced an unexpected surge of children from Central America. Many of them are unaccompanied.

House Speaker John Boehner, speaking to reporters on Wednesday after a closed-door meeting with House Republicans, didn't say what the GOP would propose. But he criticized Obama for not already taking action under current law.

"If we don't secure the border, nothing is going to change. If you look at the President's request, it's all more about continuing to deal with the problem. We've got to do something about sealing the border and ending this problem so that we can begin to move onto the bigger questions of immigration reform," Boehner said.

He said the House Appropriations Committee and a working group he assembled last month were reviewing the $3.7 billion package Obama proposed to a deeply divided Congress.

He urged on Wednesday during a visit to Texas that lawmakers put aside politics and swiftly approve the plan that seeks to bolster customs and border efforts as well as crack down on smugglers. Another goal is to speed the processing of young immigrants and send back those who lack legal status. Money would also go to caring for unaccompanied children.

The working group is meeting on Wednesday and is scheduled to deliver recommendations to Boehner next Tuesday.

One member of the group, Florida Republican Mario Diaz-Balart, believes they will quickly come up with proposals.

"The answer is not just necessarily to throw more money at it," he told reporters.

While more resources may be needed for targeted purposes, Diaz-Balart said "the House is never going to rubber stamp what the President wants to do. But I think there is a realization that there is a crisis."

House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul and other House GOP members want to change a 2008 law signed by President George W. Bush requiring deportation hearings before sending back unaccompanied children from countries that do not border the United States. The measure was aimed at combating illegal trafficking.

A GOP proposal to do so will be made on Thursday by Rep. Henry Cuellar, whose South Texas district is one heavily impacted by the current crisis, and Texas Sen. John Cornyn.

Many GOP lawmakers argue all minors should be treated like children who enter the country from Mexico and Canada - they are returned immediately.

But California Democrat Zoe Lofgren suggested the problem is not the law, but a lack of judges to handle cases.

Just back from a border detention center housing immigrant children temporarily, Lofgren said they are being identified and processed under existing law.

But "we don't have the resources to do this properly, and we should do that. And I think if we adhere to the law I think we're going to be satisfied with the results," she said.

Although it's unclear how much of Obama's proposal would survive in Congress, Boehner told Republicans the House would take some action on immigration before it leaves for a month-long recess in August, according to two GOP sources who attended the meeting.

soundoff(47 Responses)

Rudy NYC

Wake Up People! Many Rivers to cross.....

So the party of no is saying no they won’t do anything , we don’t care about the illegal problem , it’s Obama fault for every thing in the world and we will let this Country sink before we lift a finger to help the President. Seven times Obama has gone to the congress asking for funds to secure the border and every time the GOP said no. How can a party hate one man so much they would rather sink the country then help that one man.
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On some levels, and for some people, it is personal, but the main driving force behind the obstruction is that the Republicans just simply want to be back in power. I think that if Hillary Clinton had won in 2008, then we would have still seen similar obstructionist behavior from the right. It doesn’t matter which Democrat would have in 2008. The basic response still would have been the same, obstruction.

Similar obstruction maybe. But nothing as disrespectful as this. Wanting and hoping the country fails, no I doubt it very seriously. Let's not forget the Hillary dems that voted for McCain because they hated President Obama.
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It has been, and always will be about the money and power. They had the country by the family jewels. Auto unions were about to wiped out, and Republicans were against saving the auto makers. Millions of homes were being foreclosed on, Mitt Romney saying let it happen so that private investors can come in. Hundreds of billions of tax dollars had gotten pumped into Wall Street, and no one was raising Cain about it.

We almost collapsed into an oligarchy. We came that close to it, and Republicans have done their best to keep us as close to that brink as possible until they can grab power again.

As Obama ignores the border security demands of the American people, he is trying to shove Amnesty of ILLEGAL immigrants down everyone's throats again as his bill inevitably has enough Amnesty loopholes and exemptions to render any security moot.

How many $ Billions does he want for first class tickets for these ILLEGAL Immigrants? All paid by US tax payers.

July 9, 2014 02:54 pm at 2:54 pm |

monkeebizns

No Money except to secure the borders and send the illegals back across our southern border, they walked here let them walk back. We can't take care of our returning Vets but we want to take care of people who illegally enter our country-have we all gone nuts-first its 2 billion, now its 3.7 billion where will it end, 3.7 billion for what-hearings to send illegals back why- just send them back and let them get in line with everyone trying to enter our country legally.

July 9, 2014 02:54 pm at 2:54 pm |

Mary Howard

Washington needs to stop playing with the American peoples lives, and worry about passing some of these bills you have up there, instead of taking all these breaks you take, and do your job. Worry about what is going to happen to us instead of the rest of the world, we need benefits housing food jobs, pay for are kids to go to college, extended unemployement, benefits,you have done nothing for the last seven months, families losing there homes,can't pay there bills, do you care no let's take another break,and have the best benefits we would die for,and all the money you need to live a good life and the hell with the American people.

They whine and complain about this problem, they blame the President for not doing more even a Democrat did knowing full well that the gop clowns will not budge.Tell me if this is not a racist attempt to undermine this President at all cost? Then they will turn around and say it's the President's fault that more is not done, and Americans will forget that the Gop refused to help the President how sad.
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Been reading your posts for a while now, Tone. EVERY one has accusations of racism in it. EVERY ONE. Why?

Tone says:
July 9, 2014 02:52 pm at 2:52 pm
They whine and complain about this problem, they blame the President for not doing more even a Democrat did knowing full well that the gop clowns will not budge.Tell me if this is not a racist attempt to undermine this President at all cost? Then they will turn around and say it’s the President’s fault that more is not done, and Americans will forget that the Gop refused to help the President how sad.

Shhh Tone!!!! You're not supposed to mention the r word even when it's clear as day. Their minions will claim you're playing the race card, say you're a race baiter and a racist too. No nowadays when we see blatant racism towards the POTUS or any other black person you're just supposed to shuffle along and mumble something under your breath and pretend it's not happening. Even when it's surrounding you daily.

Too bad I'll never stop calling them out. I'm a child of the 70's when the saying was " Black is Beautiful"! And say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud!!!!😊😊😊😊

It takes a certain kind if mind yo blame someone for attempting to do what they demanded he do, just days ago, yup, your the smart ones alright, too funny, too funny!

July 9, 2014 03:13 pm at 3:13 pm |

rs

And here we go down the rabbit hole again. The Republicans find a situation to complain about, and blame the President for (in this case an immigration law passed by Congress and signed by Bush giving children certain rights and protection), and when faced with a President with a solution- shut it down.

Meanwhile they paly this meme out by wanting the President to violate the laws protecting immigrant children in favor of deportation (to-?) and whine that the border (long, long unsecured, and with not funds to secure) is still porous.

Interesting enough part of the problem here was cause by the bill signed into law by W. Bush, not Obama. Secondly what would have been the outcome if Congress (specifically the House) had concentrated on pass bi-partisan immigration reform instead of wasting taxpayer's money trying to repeal the affordable healthcare act? It has been suggested that Obama and Senate Democrats have obstructed immigration reform however a review of the 44 some proposals put forth by the house shows that those bill had NO REFORM in them. They were simply recycled thoughts of what we already know do not work.

Reform means CHANGE, not keep the same old thing and hope that this time those failed policies work. Regarding the Speaker of the House's comment about securing the border I ask this. If it were so easy to do so then why didn't the border get secure while W. Bush was President and Republicans controlled Congress? Guess because it is not as easy as they try to make it seem.

July 9, 2014 03:17 pm at 3:17 pm |

rs

Smitty

The Obambi way borrow more and throw it away. After 6 plus years even the libs have figured out the BIGGEST LIAR OF THE YEAR is just not up to the task. Another failure for mr inept.
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Which task is that Smitty?- Actually doing something while the lazy obstructionist GOP does NOTHING? If you care to take a real look (and we know you don't), Mr. Obama has left the GOP in the dust- and don't worry. The rest of the nation has noticed- and that's why Mr. Boehner and his welfare queen Congressmen have a favorable rating of about 17%.

July 9, 2014 03:19 pm at 3:19 pm |

The Real Tom Paine

Rudy NYC
just saying

i have no doubt at least half of this money will end up getting ripped off or re-directed to something else. after all, there is an eleciton in a few months. nothing like a huge piece of government cheese to attract all the rats.
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Seeing how the House controls and OVERSEES the purse strings, you just might have a point there. Why don't Republicans create a special committee to make sure that the waste and corruption doesn't happen? Be proactive about it, instead of reactive.

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That would require work, which they clearly are not in favor of doing if their donors have not sanctioned it.

July 9, 2014 03:22 pm at 3:22 pm |

What?

I just wonder if the 24 Billion the N.O.P. 'Nutty OLD Party ' cost the Country with Shutdown, would help this Problem?

July 9, 2014 03:22 pm at 3:22 pm |

Sniffit

In other words, the GOP/Teatrolls in the House plan to hold this hostage because they think this is their opportunity and leverage for demanding ransom in the form of the draconian border security measures they dream will stave off their demographic Armageddon. They think this is their chance to get those things without having to compromise on other things like a pathway to citizenship, etc. Of course, that requires pretending that addressing the humanitarian crisis of several thousand unaccompanied children with no homes and unidentified parents is somehow a partisan issue and something that "the Dems want", such that giving it to them is the compromise. It's not. It's something that should be non-partisan and universally desired here....just like, oh, I dunno, raising the debt ceiling and not causing the country's credit rating to be downgraded or a default that would cause a global economic collapse.

July 9, 2014 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

Sniffit

"As Obama ignores the border security demands of the American people, he is trying to shove Amnesty of ILLEGAL immigrants down everyone's throats again as his bill inevitably has enough Amnesty loopholes and exemptions to render any security moot."

Says someone who has absolutely not read a friggin word of the proposal/request for funding. Here's a hint, Jethro: if you were right, the GOP/Teatrolls in the House would be making that argument, but they're not. Instead they've just pretended it's 'throwing money at it" when part of the problem is the lack of personnel or facilities to handle care of the children and the lack of judges, lawyers and other personnel to handle the REQUIRED legal proceedings in a timely manner...all of which costs a lot of money. What you morons don't seem to understand is that Obama is, in fact, enforcing our immigration laws by following the procedures required...you know, instead of your vapid nonsense "just put them on a plane and send them back."

July 9, 2014 03:28 pm at 3:28 pm |

Lynda/Minnesota

"Although it's unclear how much of Obama's proposal would survive in Congress, Boehner told Republicans the House would take some action on immigration before it leaves for a month-long recess in August, according to two GOP sources who attended the meeting."

Yes, well. Let's not allow the political exploitation of unaccompanied children crossing our border get in the way of a month-long Congressional recess.

July 9, 2014 03:30 pm at 3:30 pm |

Gunderson

News Flash: Obama and his Liberal Buddies will talk this thing to death and hope it all goes away. Number that will be deported: NONE! Meantime the shrinking economy is expected to pick up the cost by the U.S. Taxpayer. Well you voted for it, now live with it! That little incident that happened in Murietta, California is just the Tip of the Iceberg. Now a game of chicken is developing in Washington. Most likely the people will lose, once again. Wonder why businesses move to China?
Too many Peasants buying the Liberal Agenda.

July 9, 2014 03:30 pm at 3:30 pm |

rs

It has been quite the slide to the bottom for the GOP.
While whining about the "takers" (thanks, Mr. Romney)- those who receive some meager government benefit, whether it be welfare, unemployment compensation, Social Security, or Medicare (stuff people actually PAY for), the GOP Congressmen have embarked on a campaign of merely showing up for their taxpayer funded paychecks. They don't do any actual legislating. They don't "advise or consent", they just whine- and receive full pay until they die. They have the nerve to call kids on school lunch programs takers while they suck up 6-figure salaries. Never mind the "welfare they give the rich in tax cuts, the subsidies they give big oil, or other money-wasters in their toolbox.
Useless? I present you today's GOP.

July 9, 2014 03:31 pm at 3:31 pm |

Malory Archer

uhhuh
Smitty
Obambi had the house and senate his first 2 years and still couldn't get anything done. Not a repub fan, but facts are facts Obambi just cant get it done !!!
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No, he did not. The Democrats had control of the House for the first two years. As you know, due to the unprecedented use of the filibuster in the Senate, it takes 60 votes to get anything passed. Democrats ONLY had
60 votes from the time Paul Kirk took Kennedy's seat temporarily on 9/24/2009 until Scott Brown was elected to the same seat on February 4,2010. That is the fact.

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Actually, they only had the majority for about 11 weeks as Minnesota Senator Al Franken's win was contested by right wing sore loser norm coleman (does anyone else see the pattern with the reds when they lose?) in a legal battle that lasted for nine months, and he wasn't sworn in until July 7, 2009.

July 9, 2014 03:34 pm at 3:34 pm |

Silence DoGood

@kool aid man
Sorry, confused again, is he a tyrant, or giving away our country today, dictator, or leading from behind? How do they keep it straight?
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They don't. They just assume all of the old debunked and contradictory stories are all true at once. When the conservative whine about "all" Obama's problems, it is all in there, even crazy forgotten stuff like the birth certificate and death-panels.